The biggest risk facing the world is income disparity but the risk likely to have most impact on the world, if it occurs, is that of a major systemic financial failure, according to a report prepared for the World Economic Forum which starts in Davos, Switzerland, tomorrow (January 22). The 80-page report, distributed to Davos…
Benchmarking, in an era of increased focus on risk, is starting to encompass all areas of institutional portfolios. The latest to get the academic treatment is the growing area of infrastructure investments. The international research body EDHEC-Risk Institute announced last week the establishment of a research chair which will involve three senior researchers from the…
In the latest McKinsey Quarterly newsletter, Gordon Orr, who has lived in China since setting up the consulting firm’s Chinese offices from 1993, pulls together some recent themes and makes 10 interesting predictions for the year ahead. Orr, who is the chairman of McKinsey Asia, based in the Shanghai office, predicts (in edited form): 1.Banks…
RBC Investor & Treasury Services has been appointed global custodian and fund administrator to quirky manager Gemini Investment Management. Gemini, formed in London in 2009 by its three directors – Stuart Alexander, Alan Jupp and Alison Savage – acts as both third-party marketer for other managers and Dublin-based fund manager to institutions and high net…
Bloomberg, the global financial information company, has become a major supporter of the Chief Investment Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the year awards, which recently called for nominations from Australian fiduciary funds. Bloomberg has become a silver sponsor alongside Affiliated Managers Group, JP Morgan and Commonwealth Bank. The gold sponsor is National Australia Bank….
Californian State Teachers Retirement System, State of Wisconsin Investment Board, University of Texas Endowment, University of Missouri Endowment, Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension, Indiana Public Retirement System, TIAA-CREF, and the Pennsylvania Public Schools Employees’ Retirement system all invested in Bushmaster Firearms – the company which made the assault rifle which Adam Lanza used to…
After a tumultuous year, Mercer, the big asset consultant and multi-manager, has abandoned its three-year-old united Asia Pacific strategy, resulting in significant personnel changes at the top of its key investment areas. Stephen Roberts, the head of investment consulting and investment management for the Asia Pacific region, left the company effective December 31, his role…
Jose Placido, the expansionary chief executive of RBC Investor Services, will leave the firm next month after more than 24 years, to be replaced by two current RBC executives. Tony Johnson, the global head of sales and distribution and Joanna Meager, the global head of client operations, will become co-heads of RBC Investor Services, in…
The specialist operational due diligence adviser Prism Alternative Investments is considering setting up in the Asia Pacific region to both improve its own capabilities around the world and expand its business. Prism’s founder, Lauri Martin, and client relations manager, Heinz Haas, spent the past two weeks in Australia speaking with hedge fund industry participants and…
Funds manager consensus views on 2013 augur well for share markets and sound some caution for bonds, according to the financial adviser licence provider Paragem. In its outlook note for clients last week, Paragem predicts:Â Interest rates around the world will remain low not just in 2013 but probably for another couple of years after…
